Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault fights for awareness and prevention
Feb 4, 2025, 9:28 PM | Updated: 10:45 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — One in three Utah Women experience sexual assault in their lifetime, that’s according to the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault, an organization that is spending a lot of time on Capitol Hill fighting for awareness and prevention.
Today the organization held an “Advocacy Day on the Hill” to bring together the community and all 13 of their rape crisis centers across the state to provide information and training on how to help advance legislation designed to support survivors of sexual violence and prevent it altogether.
“In Utah, we rank number nine in the country [in sexual assaults],” Executive Director of UCASA Liliana Olvera-Arbon said. “We have a high number of sexual assault cases in our state. We can do better.”
Olvera-Arbon said they are following about 40 bills during this legislative session that they believe can help make a difference
“This is one of the most underreported crimes. People are still not feeling safe to come forward. When we see that increase of people coming forward, I think we are doing a good job, that we are getting to the people and they know where the resources are to come forward,” Olvera-Arbon said.
As a rape survivor, Emily Bernath said she wanted to show up because it’s important to help those who have been victimized.
“It happens often and it’s not talked about enough,” Bernath said. “I think it’s really important that survivors speak up they share their story they feel safe they feel believed.”
Paula Vigil showed up wearing a t-shirt with her daughter’s picture on it. Her daughter Ashley, 31, who suffered from severe disabilities, passed away after being sexually assaulted by her stepfather multiple times.
“I am here to pass HB 127, to make sure if this ever happens again the person will get no less than 15 years,” she said. “[Ashley] was so amazing. She never stops fighting. She was so loving, she was pure. He took all of that.”
She also hopes this helps victims to speak up and stand up.
“The message I have for others is, when you find something wrong fight for it go for it, because you can change things,” Vigil said.
If you have experienced sexual violence, you can access help and resources by calling Utah’s 24-hour Sexual Violence Help Line at 1-801-736-4356 (English) or 1-801-924-0860 (Spanish). You can also call the Rape Recovery Center office line during office hours at 801-467-7282 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential counseling.